Truck bed shelter

ABSTRACT

A removable truck bed shelter for use with a truck bed having laterally spaced side ends. The removable truck bed shelter extends between and rests on the laterally spaced side ends to provide shelter to an animal housed in the truck bed. The removable truck bed shelter extends over only a portion of the open truck bed and provides a weather-resistant cover over the portion of the truck bed so enclosed. The removable truck bed shelter may be constructed as an adjustable frame with an attachable cover or as a solid piece of weather-resistant material. When constructed as an adjustable frame, telescoping center portions may be attached to the support members of the frame and include holes wherein a pin may be inserted to lock the frame in position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/409,454 filed 2002 Sep. 9.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to truck bed mounts, specifically to such truckbed mounts that are used to shelter animals in the back of pickuptrucks.

2. Description of the Related Art

A variety of fixed, removable, and retractable enclosures for open areasof vehicles have been marketed and are known in the art. Some suchenclosures have been designed to protect animals carried in the rear bedof pickup trucks. For instance, canvas tents have been made to attach tothe bed of pick up trucks and provide shelter to dogs and people.However, these canvas tents are designed to be used when the truck isstationary, since a vehicle traveling at high speeds is subject tointense forces caused by the surrounding air. These forces can producesubstantial drag and friction that work against the forward motion ofthe vehicle and can also cause the canvas tents to rip off and pose ahazard to other vehicles on the road. In addition, such tents oftenobstruct rear visibility and interfere with driving.

Other types of enclosures include hard shells that cover the truck bedto protect its contents. Typically, such shells are mounted to the openbed of the truck bed and are not easily removed. When installed, suchshells prevent large objects from being stored in the truck bed,negating much of the usefulness of the pick up truck. Hard shells arealso large, heavy and difficult to store.

Collapsible truck shells have been introduced that partially solve theaforementioned problems. These collapsible truck shells are typicallycomposed of several frames of progressively decreasing sizes that, whencollapsed, can be nestled within each other to form a generally planarconfiguration on the truck bed. However, such collapsible truck shellsare not easily removed and include several distinct movable parts.

The aforementioned enclosures have proved to be difficult to install,remove, and use. In addition, the aforementioned enclosures haveprimarily been designed to hold cargo or provide camping shelter forpersons and their pets. Furthermore, the aforementioned enclosures havepresented other problems such as jamming or binding of movable partssections as a result of the build-up of corrosion or water in theirtrack-like devices which adversely affects the smooth operation of theenclosures. In addition, the aforementioned enclosures are often costlyto purchase. The need has therefore arisen for a compact, lightweight,sturdy, and weather-resistant partial enclosure to provide shade andshelter for pets transported in the truck bed that can be easilyinstalled and removed from a truck bed without significantly hamperingthe utility of having an open truck bed for cargo space.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an apparatus for sheltering at least a portionof the open bed of a vehicle and, in the preferred embodiment, comprisesa frame with a removable cover. The frame comprises attachment members,support arches, and a means for adjusting the size of the frame to allowit to sit on truck beds of various sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary frame of an apparatusfor covering at least a portion of an open bed of a vehicle inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary frame of an apparatus for coveringat least a portion of an open bed of a vehicle in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an exemplary frame of an apparatus for coveringat least a portion of an open bed of a vehicle in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the cover, showing the interior side thatattaches to a frame of an apparatus for covering at least a portion ofan open bed of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a frame with a cover in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side top perspective view of a frame with a cover installedon the open bed of a truck in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a second embodiment of a frame of an apparatusfor covering at least a portion of an open bed of a vehicle inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front exploded view of one of the attachment members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the problem of the aforementionedenclosures because it provides a lightweight, weather-resistant framethat fits over a portion of the truck bed and is easily removed andinstalled. The present invention does not significantly impair thedriver's visibility and, because it only covers a portion of the truckbed, it does not significantly limit the cargo area of the truck bed.The present invention is also superior to the prior enclosures becauseit provides a compact shelter for animals in the truck bed, therebyprotecting such animals from rain, flying debris, solar rays, and otherpotentially harmful elements and objects. The present invention sheltersa portion of the truck bed nearest the cab to help keep sun, wind, andweather elements blocked from the area beneath the enclosure. Theenclosure spans the width of the truck bed, and the frame of theenclosure can be made of any lightweight, sturdy material such asaluminum, flat metal or another metal, molded hard plastic, plastictubing, PVC tubing, or galvanized tubing. However, in the preferredembodiment, the frame should be made of a lightweight metal.

The present invention comprises a removable cover that attaches to theframe. The aforementioned cover attaches to the frame of the enclosurein such a way as to create a shelter or shade for an animal housedbeneath the enclosure, and said cover may be made of any material suchas canvas, plastic, vinyl, or any other appropriate natural or syntheticmaterial. Additionally, said cover may be made of any color, pattern, orsize. In the preferred embodiment, the cover is made of a solid,weatherproof material and comprises outer sleeves that slide onto theframe of the enclosure and further comprises straps that allow the coverto be stretched tightly on the frame.

The present invention can be constructed in any size so as to fit allbeds of pickup trucks, and the aforementioned frame may be constructedeither fully welded or with the respective parts otherwise assembled soas to be ready for use without any assembly, or it may be constructedwith partial or no welding to allow it to be shipped in a more compactpackage and thus require some assembly by the consumer. In analternative embodiment of the present invention, the invention is asolid piece of material that requires no assembly.

The present invention can be attached to the bed of a pickup truck inseveral ways, such as using clamps, bolts, or ties, or any combinationthereof. The present invention may be made in different shapes. Forexample, the frame of the present invention may form an arch over thetruck bed or, alternatively, it may present a flat, raised surface andsit on top of the truck bed, resting on the rails or laterally spacedside ends of the truck bed, like a table. The present invention mayoptionally include a fitted rubber, neoprene, foam, or similar paddedmaterial that may be fashioned in a variety of shapes to fit the frameso as to protect the truck bed rail and help frictionally retain theframe of the enclosure to the truck bed.

Additionally, in one embodiment of the present invention, it may includea water mister similar to those typically used in greenhouses and dogkennels that could be attached to the underside of the support arches ofthe enclosure. Such a mister would act to cool an animal housed beneaththe enclosure. The mister attached to the support arches of theenclosure may be used with a standard garden or multipurpose sprayer,preferably of the hand pump type, and such a sprayer would be attachedto the mister and provide water storage and water pressure.

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention areas follows:

(a) to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art in creatinga removable cover for the truck bed;

(b) to provide a cost-effective truck bed enclosure that is easilyinstalled and removed;

(c) to provide a truck bed enclosure that offers adequate shade andshelter to pets in the truck bed; and

(d) to provide a truck bed enclosure that does not significantlyinterfere with the cargo-carrying capabilities of the truck bed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only and notfor purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 is a top perspective view ofan exemplary frame of an apparatus for covering at least a portion of anopen bed of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention.Telescoping center portions 1 a and 1 b are identical to one another andattach to support arches. Said support arches comprise linking members 4a-4 d, legs 21 a-21 d, and connecting members 8 a-8 d. Said telescopingcenter portions connect to said support arches by connecting directly tosaid linking members 4 a-4 d. Holes are set in each of the telescopingcenter portions 1 a and 1 b and allow the frame size to be adjusted. Theexemplary embodiment of the holes are shown in 5 e and 5 f for one ofthe telescoping center portions, specifically telescoping center portion1 a. Pin members as shown by 5 a and 5 b are releasably inserted intothe holes to lock the frame into position. Linking members 4 a-4 d arefurthermore attached to legs 21 a-21 d, and linking members 4 a-4 d maybe welded to legs 21 a-21 d, or otherwise attached. Legs 21 a-21 d eachoptionally include one hole that may be fitted with a corner pin, asshown by 6 a and 6 d. Attachment members 3 a and 3 b are attached tolegs 21 a-21 b and 21 c-21 d, respectively, by connecting members 8 a-8b and 8 c-8 d, respectively. Connecting rods 2 a and 2 b attach betweenconnecting members 8 a-8 b and 8 c-8 d, respectively. The preferredembodiment of the invention includes an optional angle support 7 a thatattaches to connecting member 8 d and attachment member 3 b. A similaroptional angle support 7 b is shown in FIG. 2 and attaches to connectingmember 8 a of FIG. 1. These optional angle supports may be used toattach a dog restraint such as a leash or tether and, in the preferredembodiment, are positioned on the part of the frame closest to the frontcab of the vehicle, though they may be positioned elsewhere. Corner pins6 a and 6 d may be withdrawn or depressed to allow legs 21 a and 21 d todetach from connecting members 8 a and 8 d, respectively. Not shown butimplied in the figure are corner pins 6 b and 6 c set into legs 21 b and21 c, respectively.

FIG. 2 represents a side view of the frame, showing telescoping centerportion 1 b, and linking members 4 c and 4 d connected to legs 21 b and21 c. Leg 21 c is connected to connecting member 8 e, which is connectedto attachment member 3 b. Leg 21 b is connected to connecting member 8b, which is connected to attachment member 3 a. Optional angle supportmember 7 b is attached to connecting member 8 a, which is positionedbehind 8 b in this side perspective and therefore not visible.

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of the frame and shows the corner pins 6 a and6 b as well as corner pins 6 c and 6 d. Also pin members 5 a-5 d arevisible.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the cover that fits over the frame of theapparatus. Side straps 11 a-11 f and interior straps 17 a-17 j areattached to the body 19 of the cover. Outer straps 13 a and 13 b attachto edge 15 a, and outer straps 13 c and 13 d attach to opposing edge 15b as depicted. First and second opposing edges 15 a and 15 b areattached to the body 19 of the cover by connecting flaps 16 a and 16 b,respectively. Side straps 11 a-11 f and outer straps 13 a-13 dattacharound portions of the frame. Sleeves 18 a and 18 b slide over the frameof the apparatus, specifically parts 21 a-21 d and 4 a-4 d and 1 a-1 bof as depicted in FIGS. 1-3. Side straps 11 a-11 c are attached tocorresponding insert clips 12 a-12 c. Side straps 11 d-11 f are attachedto corresponding insert clips 12 d-12 f. Insert clips 12 a-12 c snapinto the corresponding holding clips 17 b-17 d. Insert clips 12 d-12 fsnap into the corresponding holding clips 17 f-17 h. Outer straps 13 cand 13 d are attached to end insert clips 14 c and 14 d, respectively.Outer straps 13 a and 13 b are attached to end insert clips 14 a and 14b, respectively. End insert clips 14 c and 14 d snap into holding clips17 a and 17 e, respectively. End insert clips 14 a and 14 b snap intoholding clips 17 i and 17 j, respectively. The outer straps and sidestraps may be adjusted to adjust the tension of the cover when it isattached to the frame.

FIG. 5 depicts the frame with the cover attached, showing how sleeves 18a and 18 b attach to the frame. Sleeves 18 a and 18 b slide over legs 21b-21 c and 21 a-21 d, linking members 4 c-4 d and 4 a-4 b, andtelescoping center portions 1 a and 1 b. First and second opposing edges15 a and 15 b attach to connecting rods 2 a and 2 b. Because the covermay slide over the support arches with either side first, either sleevemay slide over either support arch.

FIG. 6 shows the frame and cover installed in the open bed of a truck.Attachment members 3 a and 3 b secure to the laterally spaced side endsof the open bed of the truck. Any appropriate clamp, as shown bycomponent 22 may be used to secure the attachment members to thelaterally spaced side ends. Optionally, the water mister 10 can beattached to the support arches. An optional cinch bag 24 may be placedover the water mister for insulation.

FIG. 7 depicts an alternative embodiment of the present invention,showing the frame with the legs 20 a and 20 b at approximately rightangles to the linking members 4 e and 4 f. Not shown but implied in thisfigure are the opposing legs and linking members, identical in structureand position.

FIG. 8 depicts an exploded front view of the one of the attachmentmembers of the frame, showing the preferred angle support member abovethe attachment member.

1. An apparatus for covering a portion of an open bed of a vehicle, theopen bed of a vehicle having longitudinally spaced forward and rearwardends and laterally spaced side edges, said apparatus comprising: a framecomprising a base having a first and a second laterally spaced elongatedgenerally flat rectangular attachment members for attachment to the openbed of a vehicle, and first and second elongated support archesconnected between first ends and second ends of said attachment membersand including an angle support member connected to said attachmentmembers, the angle support member allowing for the tying down orsecuring of ropes, cords, or dog leashes; and an elongated thin flatcover panel having opposing side edges and end edges wherein said sideedges attach to said support arches for covering at least a part of theopen bed.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said attachmentmembers attach to the laterally spaced side edges of the open bed of avehicle.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said supportarches include telescoping center portions for selectively adjustingsaid support arches so that said frame may be adjusted to fit open bedsof varying sizes.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein saidcover panel comprises a pliable sheet of material and fastening meansfor selectively and releasably fastening said cover panel to said framewhereby said cover panel provides shelter over a portion of said vehiclebed.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cover panelcomprises a flexible material that is resistant to temperature extremesand provides shelter from wind, rain, and solar energy, and fasteningmeans for selectively and releasably fastening said cover panel to saidframe whereby said cover panel provides shelter over a portion of saidvehicle bed.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said coverpanel comprises a flexible shade cloth material and fastening means forselectively and releasably fastening said cover panel to said framewhereby said cover panel provides shelter over a portion of said vehiclebed.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cover panelincludes tubular sleeves formed along the opposing side edges thereoffor receiving and attaching to said support arches.
 8. An apparatus forcovering a portion of an open bed of a vehicle, the open bed of avehicle having longitudinally spaced forward and rearward ends andlaterally spaced side edges, said apparatus comprising: a framecomprising a base having a first and a second laterally spaced elongatedgenerally flat rectangular attachment members for attachment to the openbed of a vehicle, and first and second elongated support archesconnected between first ends and second ends of said attachment members;and an elongated thin flat cover panel having opposing side edges andend edges wherein said side edges attach to said support arches forcovering at least a part of the open bed, wherein said support archeseach comprise a pair of opposed substantially L shaped tubular membersattached together at one or more telescoping center portions whereinsaid telescoping center portions comprise a plurality of individualholes for receiving a pin member at selected extended positions.